Professor Einstein Deplores International Misunderstanding of His Press Interviews

April 6, 1933

Antwerp (Apr. 5)

Professor Albert Einstein, the world-famous physicist, expressed to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency representative here his profound regret at the malicious misinterpretation of the press interviews given by him recently in Europe and America. Whoever wishes to know the truth, said Professor Einstein, can see the original interviews, and he added: “I do not desire to live in a country or belong to a country where the rights of all citizens are not respected and where freedom of speech among teachers is not accorded. I expressed the hope that nations which are to remain healthy, must also in future serve as a standby and a moral support for the most valuable achievements of our civilization. I never uttered a single unfriendly remark against the German people.”

Discussing the condition which led to the present situation in Germany, Einstein added: “It should not be forgotten that the tragic psychological situation in Germany was, to a great extent, brought about as a result of the post-War policy adopted by the former allied nations at a time when the liberal regime was in power in Germany.”

Professor Einstein told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency representative that he has chosen Belgium as a refuge because from of old it has been a place of tolerance, personal freedom and political neutrality.